Ottawa 2017 unveils countdown clock to a year of Sesquicentennial celebrations

Ottawa – With 250 days to go until Canada’s big birthday year, the Ottawa 2017 Bureau and Mayor Jim Watson, in collaboration with lead partner CIBC, unveiled today an eye-catching clock that will count down to January 1, 2017.

“We are exactly 250 days away from a year when the entire country will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, and Ottawa will be at the forefront of the festivities,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “This countdown clock will help build excitement and momentum for a full year of celebrations in our city.”

“We’re excited that the clock is now ticking toward a year of celebration that will transform our capital city, showcase our shared Canadian pride and create long-lasting memories for everyone who joins us,” said Monique Giroux, Vice-President, Sponsorship Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, CIBC. “CIBC is thrilled to count down together with Canadians to this landmark moment in our history.”

The countdown clock stands more than three metres tall and 1.2 metres wide (approximately 10’ x 4’) and features the Ottawa 2017 celebratory look, logo and official slogan, “Celebrating 150 Years”. It will be positioned inside City Hall so residents and visitors can visit and take their photo with the structure any time from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

“The Ottawa 2017 Bureau is busy getting ready for a year unlike anything that’s ever been done in the nation’s capital before,” said Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. “Seeing this countdown clock ticking down the days until 2017, makes me proud to know that we are that much closer to having the dream become a reality.”

The clock frame and countdown mechanism are the same as was used to build excitement for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, and are part of the soccer event’s legacy.

Peter Montopoli, Chief Executive Officer, FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 noted, “as Ottawa gets set to welcome the world once again, we are happy and honoured to provide the clock that will engage Canadians in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration for Canada.”

Canada’s 150th celebrations will offer Canadians and visitors from around the world an exceptional and memorable year of high-caliber experiences while bringing a record number of visitors to Ottawa in 2017 to celebrate this important milestone for our country.